HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-07 Economic Development Committee MinutesEconomic Development Committee (EDC ECEIVED
January 7, 2009 MINUTES N C~ERK
RE DI G, F9 ~ 7S.
In Attendance: Meghan Young-Tafoya (Chairman), Sheila Clarke (Vice Chair), Mich-1 rp R ss Graham,
George Rio, Sharon Petersen, and Kathi Spur met in the Berger Room, Town Hall al f~ 31
Members Absent: Michelle Ferullo and Jack Russell
Also Present: Abby McCabe, Staff Planner
Call to Order: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:45 PM.
Discussions of Zoning Amendments:
The Chair suggested the Committee create a project timeline and work plan to help act as a guide throughout the
effort. The Committee brainstormed goals and listed priorities for the signage bylaw. The consensus for the most
important sign issues are as follows:
1. Zoning ByLaw vs. General ByLaw (the EDC should first decide which approach would be most effective) Step 1
should be to meet with CPDC for input)
2. Evaluate Reading's existing bylaw to identify issues and possible changes
3. Edit the sign bylaw
4. Re-write the bylaw
-Design considerations (a visual do's and don'ts for signage)
-Reorganize & create a sign design guide book (for example, Burlington, VT)
-Understand the reasoning behind the bylaws and the districts
5. Seek input and support from all boards, commissions, committees, residents and businesses
6. Create a list of sub-projects
7. Approve & Educate
8. Enforcement
The EDC requested a list of existing non-conforming signs and the time line for the ones that were originally
grandfathered. One member suggested having another business meeting or public meeting to talk with business
- owners about the possible sign changes.
Assignments for the next meeting: Each member should carefully read through the sign bylaw and bring questions
and regulations that the Committee may want to revise. Each committee member was assigned a community to
contact to learn more about their sign bylaw and enforcement. A few of the members are contacting the Town's that
have signage as a General By-Law and the others are reaching out to those that have had success with signage as a
zoning bylaw. Members should also review the work plan and be prepared to discuss updates at the next meeting.
Other Business
The Chair summarized the December retail retention workshop that she attended in Ipswich. Ipswich provided samples
of successful surveys and techniques used to reach a wide base in the community. Ipswich was able to reach out to
residents and inform them about a recent design survey by using the reverse 911 system to reach all businesses and
residents in the subject area. The Chair also shared with the committee a design guidebook from Burlington, VT.
Abby reviewed the Economic Development Activity spreadsheet with the committee. Abby will have more information
about the status of a couple of the other sites for the next meeting.
The Spring Fling was postponed to the fall because of the group's commitment to the signage amendments.
Minutes
On a motion that was duly made and seconded, the EDC voted to approve the Minutes for December 3, 2008.
(Vote: 3-0).
Meeting Schedule
Next scheduled meeting will be on Wednesday January 21, 2009 at 7:30 PM, Berger Room
On a motion duly made by Meghan Young Tafoya and seconded by Shelia Clarke, the Committee voted to
adjourn at 10:00 P.M. on a unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Abby McCabe